Police in South Africa have launched an investigation after the body of Jayden Adams, a Mamelodi Sundowns star, was found inside a house in Cape Town on Saturday.

Jayden Adams played for South Africa in the 2026 World Cup finals, before they were eliminated in the round of 32 by Canada.

The news site IOL reported that Adams died by suicide, but police have not officially confirmed the cause of death, only announcing that an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances of the incident.

Police spokesperson Van Wyk confirmed that officers received a report and arrived at the scene around 11 a.m. "The circumstances surrounding this incident are still under investigation."

Adams' death came after a difficult period for his family, as his grandmother Mariana Adams passed away at the age of 72 in a hospital in Stellenbosch on June 17, just one day before South Africa faced the Czech Republic in the World Cup.

Despite receiving the news of his grandmother's death before the match, Adams started in the game that ended in a 1-1 draw, and then came on as a substitute in the historic win over South Korea.

His grandmother was buried on June 27, while Adams was still with the national team in the United States.

Jayden Adams was born in Cape Town in May 2001 and progressed through the Stellenbosch FC academy, before becoming the first academy graduate to sign a professional contract with the club in August 2020.

He played 139 matches for Stellenbosch, scoring 9 goals and providing 10 assists, while his impressive performances led to his inclusion in the South African national team under coach Hugo Broos, and he was part of the squad that won bronze at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

In January 2025, he moved to Mamelodi Sundowns on a contract lasting about three and a half years.